The Hidden Faith of the Founding Fathers

One of America's most important founders was a man named Charles Thomson, who was said to have been closer to the events and people of the American Revolution than any other man of that era. Thomson was the Congressional secretary from 1774 to 1789, all the way through the Revolution and the establishment of the federal government. He was also the man who made the final decisions for the design of the Great Seal of the United States, which can now be found on the back of America's dollar bill.

As the new American Republic was being founded, Thomson made a detailed history of the events that took place during the Revolution and of the men who are being celebrated as heroes across the country. Though he was compelled for repeatedly to publish this history, Thomson declined, "No" he said, "I ought not, for I should contradict all the histories of the great events of the Revolution. Let the world admire the supposed wisdom and valor of our great men." He said, "I shall not undeceive future generations."

As a result, Thomson eventually destroyed his manuscript and what may have been the truest account of the American Revolution was lost for all time. It might be said that any serious investigation into America's history should begin with Thomson's story and his decision not to undeceive future generations. What did Thomson mean? What was he hiding? Since we are the future generations, what have we been deceived about?

Today, the founding fathers of America are perhaps the most famous men in the world, for setting forth a new form of government that has been the marvel of the modern age. In the discussion over whether America was founded as a Christian nation, it is important to divide her history. Most agree that the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth in 1620 were undoubtedly Christians who built their cities and schools based on the teachings of the Bible. Yet 150 years would pass before the United States was founded, as a result of the American Revolution. Because of the Christian influence early on, the Revolutionary philosophies have been embraced in what might be called "Patriotic Christianity." You can buy the DVD at Amazon.com.

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19 Comments / User Reviews

MFDoom

Not even 5 min. in, just 3 and OH noooo... This might get bad. Wow, hit the 6 minute mark and this guy has already tried to present an argument for religious segregation, used redundant categorizations in reference to people, and overall came off a bit too paranoid. Are you Christian? Do you feel as though everyone is out to get you? Do you recognize that you are part of a major religion but somehow always manage to present yourself as an underdog? This is for you.

Michael Spinler

watch it and weep christers! finally a doc to refute the stupid claims of this country being founded by Christians for Christians.

Strange that the founders never mention Jesus in any founding document and only reference a Diest deity when they mention one at all, yet we are expected to believe this nation was founded exclusively for and by christians....

E-Pluribus-Unum

Jo McKay

The doc makes the claim that the American Founding Elite were in fact secular humanists (and Masons and Unitarians) who were NOT Christians at all. The argument being that those trying to 'sell' the christian nation idea in churches today are mis-leading people. The early half is kind of interesting, then it goes too far again. Who knows, maybe a deal was struck with the Catholic Pope and the ideals of the Rosicrucians and Masons were weaved into the fabric of the 'new' United States. I agree for sure that many of the days philosophic thinkers, which would include revolutionary leaders of the times, were 'not' fundamentalist evangelical christians! Were they part of a crazy elite who wanted a new nation based on equal rights, democracy and the emancipation of all people (even women)? The docs host makes those directions sound shocking...well I don't know. Is it a waste of time to watch?...hmmm...maybe.

Pysmythe

What you say is true, alright, but you don't really think a good christer would ever let the truth stand in his way, do you?

Terry Beaton

This is one of the best Doc.s I've seen in a long time. And I watch a lot of Doc.s. Don't miss it!

1concept1

Not a waste of time Jo. The doc is too long with run on concepts. Just take from it what suits you. There is a lot of important eye opening info here for the avg. Jo. :-)

john ford

America ; land of the Incarcerated ,home of the Craven.

Is there any subject Americans have not managed to lie about in their history?.

oQ

May be you mean: Is there any subject the US has not managed to lie about in it's history?
I dislike the word America when talking about the US. Yes, i'm Canadian.
1i

Pat Thompson

Thankfully, the founding fathers took great pains NOT to found this country on any religion, to make all religions welcome. This is a SECULAR country. Religions are "social clubs" and have nothing to do with belief in God or with spirituality.

robertallen1

Which is why you don't find the words "god," "Christian," "Christ" or "atheist," or any form of them in the Constitution--and may they never be found there or in any other piece of legislation.

Can Ali Gurguc

So many people think the way he did and I believe they did the right thing.

jaberwokky

Fascinating stuff. A lot of insights regarding the moral/religious standings of the founding fathers. Unfortunately the presenter uses a lot of credible evidence to draw some very biased and slightly worrying conclusions. Yes if you are using a bible as your yardstick then I'm sure you can paint the founding fathers as antichrists and demon worshipers. But all that says to anyone that doesn't believe in your book of questionable moral certitudes is that you are possibly bat$hit insane. Or at the very least seriously misguided and gullible. Nonetheless this doc is worth a look in for numerous reasons.

Justin Wiley

The thing is, it seems to be presenting anyone who questions the Bible as the bad guys in this, as if they are somehow being deceived......... interesting, when western civilization had for centuries been dominated by a violent church. America was originally meant to break away from those "old world" oppressions, whatever the case.
If anything this film had the opposite effect for me, encouraging free thought in the face of these bizzarre, controlling, and cryptic Christain doctrines. America has gone downhill rapidly, for many reasons, and is no longer the best choice for everyone in terms of a first world citizen experience, but that proves not one thing or another about any religion.

Major Dave

Nothing in the founding documents suggest Deism was dominate in the discussions that led to them. In fact, the Declaration of Independence which sets forth our national values specifically claims that we rely on "Divine Providence" for our success. We were founded as a Godly nation, not as a Christian nation and not as a secular nation, but rather on the basis of common Judeo-Christian principles. Such is why the Ten Commandments are carved into the very stone of our US Supreme Court Building, the likeness of Moses, not Jesus, hangs over the main entrance to The People's House in Congress and why when church services once held in the very halls of Congress eventually spread to the Supreme Court chambers when the crowd grew too large and ultimately resulted in the Congress commissioning a National Cathedral, a national house of worship in DC. It is the Bible of the God of Abraham and Moses that was instilled as a staple in our Courts of Justice at all levels and used as the first textbook in their schools. It is silly to conclude that 13 states who all acknowledged a supreme being by one name or another in their own State constitutions then turned around and mutually created a central government empowered to deny that such existed or to act as if one did not.

Mike

@ Pat Thompson and @ robertallen1

both God (exactly in that form suggesting 1 god) and divine providence are both found in your declaration of independence.... Which would suggest a religious tone to the convictions of the founding fathers.

Not a bad thing either considering that in that day and age people were religious and had a firm belief in God. Any belief system that supports people having a moral compass and a loving heart toward everyone, including your enemies, is a good belief system to have. Regardless of what you call that belief system. Be it Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism, etc.

Do religions have outdated ideas, doctrines, laws and observances ? of course they do. These ideas were written in a time when they held relevance. As a society we evolved over time to realize that some of these ideas, doctrines, laws and observances no longer play a role or have a place in our modern society.

Respect history for what it is. Mans struggle to get things right and the obstacles that have been overcome to get to where we are today. Every part of human history plays a part in shaping the society we have become today and we will continue of the path of making mistakes and either learning from them or repeating them until the day that mankind ceases to exist.

You don't have to believe in what was done or said. But you should respect the fact that it made us who we are today. I am a Christian. I don't believe that Christianity is anything close to what it was intended to be. Too few men had their hand in developing the religions of the world and like power in any hands it corrupts and becomes polluted by the ideas of the few who shape and mold it. I respect you for your ideas and you convictions. I don't see any reason for you to judge me as less a person because of mine. All of mankind has a dark past. Religious and non-religious alike. As an evolving society. Lets stop dwelling on the transgressions of the past and look to the future. Work together on making this a world that has a moral compass and embraces the ideas of love, peace and happiness for all humankind.

Jay Linn

You don't have to watch a lot to realize that this film is made by a conspiracy driven, irrationally minded nutcase. It consists mostly of this one guy's monologue and some historical factoids he dug up to support his idea. However I doubt that even this nutcase cannot deny that Christian faith prospered in America set up by these founders - whom he loves to denigrate and insult. This film is a disgrace.

Jay Linn

I think the main problem with this film maker is that he has rather narrow view of what a Christian is. It is not enough for one to attend church regularly and make Anglican confession. He also has to be a street witnessing, on fire for the Lord, Jesus following, serious believer.

So was George Washington a Christian? In most people's definition, he was! But not to this film maker. Washington was not serious enough. He must be a hidden mason cultist pretending to be a believer! And that is why this film maker is a conspiracy theory nutcase. Excuse my French.

Abraham

The truth can not be hidden or buried for ever a proverb says "a lie might travel for a thousand years but the truth will overtake it in one day" if Charles Thomas had the truth why didn't he release it and if he burnt everything then where ,this film is surely not a Christian and he intends to use this to spread his confusion about Christianity the message of Jesus Christ . You can't understand it accept Jesus Christ today he loves you and receive the spirit of Jehovah and be saved from confusion .